Doleshwar mosque gets UNESCO Award for heritage conservation

Doleshwar Hanafia Jame Mosque in Keraniganj on the outskirts of Dhaka has received the "Award of Merit" in UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2021.

The Institute of Architects Bangladesh in a statement on Wednesday congratulated its former president architect Dr Abu Sayeed M Ahmed and his team for restoring the historic mosque which earned them the outstanding achievement.

According to 2021 Winners Citations, the restoration of the Doleshwar Hanafia Jame Mosque on the outskirts of Dhaka sets a welcome precedent for privately-supported restoration and valorises heritage in a historic village context.

Dating to the 19th century, the mosque had suffered from burgeoning pressures from the growing population as well as inappropriate repairs that had compromised the authenticity of the historic architecture.

The project reversed the ill effects of prior interventions and restored the original character and aesthetic through the use of traditional artisan skills and materials. The conversion of the mosque into a Quran study centre for local youth ensures its ongoing centrality for the community and coming generations.

The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation is supported by the newly established partnership between UNESCO and the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation (NTFCF).

Since 2000, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation programme has been recognizing the efforts of private individuals and organisations in restoring, conserving, and transforming structures and buildings of distinct heritage value in the region.

Awarded projects demonstrate sound technical achievement, appropriate use or adaptation, engagement with the local community, and contributions to enhancing the environmental sustainability and resilience of the heritage place.

After reviewing a total of 39 entries from 12 countries across the Asia-Pacific, nine projects from six countries – Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand – have been honoured in 2021.

Nizamuddin Basti, New Delhi, India got the Award of Excellence, Jingdezhen Pengjia Alley Compound, Jiangxi, China and Kesennuma Historic Citiscape, Miyagi, Japan got the Award of Distinction.

Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Temple, Penang, Malaysia, Baan Khun Phithak Raya, Pattani, Thailand, New Design in Heritage Contexts Shajing Ancient Fair, Shenzhen, China Songyang Culture Neighborhood, Zhejiang, China got the Award of Merit alongside Doleshwar Mosque.

Shajing Ancient Fair, Shenzhen, China, Nizamuddin Basti, New Delhi, India, Kesennuma Historic Citiscape, Miyagi, Japan, and Mrigadayavan Palace Woodshop, Phetchaburi, Thailand got Special Recognition for Sustainable Development.